Baripada: Two police personnel have been suspended and a home guard has been issued a show-cause notice for allegedly leaking confidential information about a police raid to suspected cattle smugglers in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district.

Disciplinary action follows failed anti-cattle smuggling raid in Mayurbhanj

The disciplinary action follows a preliminary inquiry into a special anti-cattle smuggling operation conducted on June 13 under the directions of the Eastern Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG).

As part of the statewide crackdown, police had planned simultaneous raids at two locations under Jharpokharia Police Station in Mayurbhanj district. However, one of the targeted locations yielded no results despite prior intelligence inputs, raising suspicion that the accused had been alerted in advance.

According to the findings of the preliminary investigation, confidential information regarding the planned raid was allegedly leaked to members of a cattle smuggling network by personnel from within the police department.

Acting on the report, the Superintendent of Police suspended Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Ranjit Nayak and Constable Ashish Nayak, both attached to Jharpokharia Police Station, for their alleged involvement in leaking the information.

In addition, Home Guard Subrat Padhi, who was reportedly aware of the police station's activities, has been served a show-cause notice asking him to explain his role in the matter within 30 days.

Confirming the development, Additional SP Deepak Kumar Gochhayat said the action was taken based on reports submitted by the Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) and the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO). He added that departmental proceedings against the accused personnel would continue.

Meanwhile, police have intensified efforts to trace and arrest the absconding members of the alleged cattle smuggling network. Authorities said surveillance has been stepped up to monitor their movements.

June 13 crackdown leads to action against police personnel

The disciplinary action stems from a coordinated statewide operation carried out on June 13 across Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak and Balasore districts against illegal cattle smuggling networks.

During the raids, police searched the residences of several suspected cattle smugglers and reportedly seized cash, gold and silver ornaments worth lakhs of rupees, along with documents related to land and property transactions.

The investigation into the alleged information leak and the cattle smuggling network is ongoing.